Fins themselves come in two traditional blade styles: a split or paddle blade. Both styles have pros and cons to them with distinct characteristics. A split blade is a more novice blade for a snorkeler in a sense. These fins allow water to pass through the split in the blade on your upward fin stroke, causing less resistance and more propulsion. This compensates for incorrect kicking techniques which make split blade fins ideal for beginners; you won’t waste all your energy and attention on kicking and c...

The other option of snorkeling fin-wear is closed heel fins. These fins differ than open heel in that the fin silicone extends to completely surround your foot and heel, which makes the foot pocket much smaller than the open heel fins. Because of this, socks are not able to be worn with the fins which leave them a popular option typically reserved for warmer waters. Since full foot fins do not have adjustable straps, it is very important to get the proper size for your foot. The fin should not be able to wiggle around on your foot but also should not be too tight to where it may cause cramping...

Deans Blue Hole, extending down to a vast 663ft, is thought to be the world’s deepest ocean blue hole. Dean’s Blue Hole is located on the tropical Long Island of the Bahamas and is truly a place of wonder for snorkelers and scientists like. Once you enter the shallow waters off the white sand beach, only about 5 ft., you are just a few kick strokes away from the drop-off. The Hole is almost completely surround by cliffs bases which keeps currents out and makes for easy, relaxing snorkeling. The hold itself is not the only attraction here though, keep you...

Fins are an essential part of comfortable snorkeling or diving; they work with your legs muscles to push you through the water with ease and comfort while using the least amount of energy possible. As with any other piece of equipment, fit and comfort are the top priorities when choosing your fins. The sizes of today’s fin blades are typically larger to provide maximum power with minimal effort but various sizes are available to meet an individual’s size needs. The fins themselves come with varying designs of slits and vents on the blade to channel water different ways and enhance their perfor...

There are two types of fins, open heel (pocket) fins and closed heel fins. Open heel fins are the more popular fin design of the two. These fins slide right over your foot and have an adjustable fin strap that tightly secures your foot in the pocket. With the open heel fins you will have to wear lycra or the 3mm socks which are made to fit snugly inside the foot pocket. Wearing the socks with your open heel fins is helpful in keeping your feet warm while in the water and also keeps your heels from rubbing against the heel strap, which can lead to blistering and ruin your snorkeling experience....

The Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (hoo-moo-hoo-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-poo-ah-ah), or the shortened Humhumu, is the official state fish of Hawaiian and is also known as the reef or wedge-tail triggerfish. The Humuhumunukunukuapuaa’s name, translated to mean “the triggerfish with a pig snout”, is earned from its oddly shaped face and sound it makes. Along with having an odd name, this little fish has many interesting characteristics to go along with it. The humuhumu’s oddly shaped snout and teeth are the reason it can make its strange grunting “pig-like” noises, which are believed to help alert other hu...

Chankanaab is one of the biggest attractions in Cozumel. This park has so much to offer in terms of snorkeling and experiencing marine life. There are large coral reefs resting under just a few feet of crystal clear water, allowing snorkelers to easily see all the reefs details. There are underwater statues throughout the park and are popular photo spots as well. The waters here are warm, calm, and full of marine life; most of the fish here are accustom to snorkelers and will swim near you. In addition to snorkeling, Chankanaab offers visitors the chance to interact and sea lions, mana...

There are several excellent snorkeling locations throughout the Bimini Islands with many spectacular sights to offer. There are several shallow coral reef formations along the islands which house a large spectrum of underwater life, including pods friendly and playful spotted dolphins. The dolphins here are known to frequently swim and interact with snorkelers, making for an unforgettable experience! In other areas of the Biminis you have to luxury of snorkeling over shallow wrecks, including the S.S. Sapona which lies only 14 ft under the surface.
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Looking for a private, secluded snorkeling destination? Try to imagine yourself snorkeling in crystal clear waters off of an uninhabited tropical island. Laughing Bird Caye is the perfect snorkeling spot for those with a more remote experience in mind. Laughing Bird is a National Park of Belize and is located 11 miles off the coast. It is home to the Belize barrier Reef and has been protected as a park since 1981, which luckily means there is no shortage of animal and plant life to see. On land you will see various bird species...

The green sea turtles or “Honu” of Hawaii are ancient, enduring marine creatures that date back to the age of the dinosaurs. These turtles are among the worlds largest and are known to grow up to sizes of 5ft, weigh as much as 700lbs, and have an average life span of 80 years or so. Unlike their land cousins, sea turtles spend almost all of their life in the water and have developed flattened, streamline bodies with large paddle-like flippers that help them swim through the water with ease. One of the only times a sea turtle will come upon land is to lay her eggs; when this time comes th...

Imagine yourself relaxing at a tropical theme park where some of the main attractions range from snorkeling to seeing and experiencing an ancient Mayan village and everything fun in between. This resort is Xcaret Park (eesh-carette) and is a self-described eco-friendly, “Disneyfied” ecopark visited by thousands each year. At Xcaret Park you have a wide range of activities the whole family can choose from, one of the most popular and unique is the chance to snorkel in a 1,590ft underground river! The underground rivers at Xcaret are part of an ancient cave system underneath the Yucatan peninsul...

Mask frame styles.
A mask frame is the window on the mask which contains the lenses and come in two different styles, a single lens or two lenses. There are unique benefits of both lenses but choice of one over the other is mainly a personal preference. In certain two lens masks, you have the ability to swap out the lenses for any prescription optic corrective lenses; some also feel the single lens mask offers a wider field of vision than the two lens. Single lens masks tend to feel more natural in terms of seeing through the lens and the range of vision it gives you. Both lens types can come...

Skirt and Lens Materials.
The two main components of a mask are its lenses and skirt. A quality mask skirt is typically made of a surgical grade silicone; however less expensive snorkeling mask skirts can be made of PVC (similar to the material found in plumbing pipes and offer less quality and comfort). PVC is a less durable material when exposed to sunlight or any chemicals in sunscreen while silicone skirts are softer, more flexible in following the outline of the face, and have been known to last longer and endure the elements (surgical grade silicone masks tend to create a much better se...

Correct fit and comfort.
The most important thing above all else when choosing your snorkeling mask is making sure it fits correctly and it is going to be comfortable to wear for long periods of time. A good fitting mask will create a complete seal over your face and nose while preventing any water from leaking into the mask while being comfortable and easy to wear at the same time. Everyone’s face is unique in size and shape which can make finding the right mask seem difficult for some people; in today’s market however, there are a wide selection of masks available to make sure you find the ...

Some of the basic mask features are the skirt, mask strap, and purge valve. The mask’s skirt is the area which seals around a diver’s face and keeps water out. A mask strap and adjustment buckles allow the diver to tighten or loosen the mask until it properly fits around the head for optimal comfort as well as a secure mask. A popular feature on certain masks is the addition of a purge valve, located on the bottom of the nose section, to help in clearing the mask of water more easily. All of these popular features are added to make your next snorkeling adventure as comfortable and enjoyable as...

Unlike marine animals, human eyes are not designed for underwater vision; to compensate for this a mask is worn to provide an air pocket and allow the snorkeler to see. A snorkeling mask differs from swim goggles in that it has a fully enclosed nose which adjusts for pressure changes within the water and should never be substituted for swim goggles. Before purchasing your mask you must remember that the most important aspect of a quality snorkeling mask is the fit. Also be aware that masks today come with several different style options and features; making it easy to choose the most comfortab...

Online “department” stores and general sporting goods stores work because sales associates know a little about lots of products. Other online stores do the same, or eliminate the problem by restricting your selection. At Snorkel City, we are dedicated to giving you the best variety of the best gear at the best prices. All of our US-based customer associates know the ins and outs of a variety of brands and materials and are ready to help you select the perfect snorkeling gear for your next excursion.
The best material for mask skirts and snorkel flex tubes and mouthpieces is silicone. Silicone...